U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum - Political Arenashttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/
enTue, 14 Aug 2018 23:44:46 GMTvBulletin60images/misc/rss.pngU.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum - Political Arenashttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/
Italy : The Genoa bridge collapsehttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/international-politics/557613-italy-the-genoa-bridge-collapse
Tue, 14 Aug 2018 22:53:58 GMTThe collapse of an around 200 m long piece of a highway bridge in the italian port city of Genoa during noon traffic has killed at least 35 people, yet rescue services are still digging through the rubble as I write these lines. Companies that have...

]]>International PoliticsVolandhttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/international-politics/557613-italy-the-genoa-bridge-collapseThe US/Turkey spathttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/international-politics/557570-the-us-turkey-spat
Tue, 14 Aug 2018 09:52:00 GMT
And obviously, there are striking paralells between the two. Running on an anti-establishment platform to power, (not just) economic nationalism, an avalanche of bombastic strongman/tough guy rethoric, making.....great again. And yes, both have a Twitter account.
When Erdogans bodyguards were caught on tape beating protesters in the US, the Trump administration handled the case quietly. The Trump administration never joined the Europeans criticism of Erdogans overhaul of the turkish state, into a "presidential" autocracy, including crackdowns on the freedom of the press, mass arrests of political enemies, and military action against minorities ( such as the Curds). Although also Trump didn´t hand Fetullah Gülen, a former Erdogan associate and alleged leader in exile (in the US) of the (failed) 2016 military coup over. And also Trump didn´t end US support for the syrian Curds, that form the most effective ground force against the IS, very much to Erdogans ire ( although Trump didn´t take action against Turkeys invasion of the curdish populated Afrin region in northern Syria). Add to that US anger at Turkey purchasing russian missile systems in spite of beeing a NATO member, and turkish anger at Trumps Iran sanctions that would hit the already ailing turkish economy brutally ( around 50 % of its oil comes from Iran), and it becomes clear enough that this spat didn´t start with the arrest of an american pastor/missionary, that appears to belong to Mike Pences church :

Currently, Trump has imposed sanctions against two turkish ministers (unprecedented for a NATO ally), doubled the "punitive" tariffs on aluminium and steel imports, and vowed to veto any turkish requests for monetary aid from IMF as well as World Bank while promising more hits.
Erdogan for his part has hinted at seeking new alliances and openly called NATO membership in question (along with the US base at Incirlik). He has also announced slapping tariffs on american exports and boycotts against major US brands. Such as Apple.
And although that won´t be as simple as he claims, Turkey has quite a lot of serious potential to disrupt US and western policy interests in the region.
The other issue is the countrys economic/currency crisis that has not been caused by US sanctions (in fact it is home-made), but certainly worsened by them. And the scenario of Turkeys economy crashlanding has to worry its neighbours, not least Europe. In terms of economic/financial exposure, but also on other fields ( refugee crisis ?). Currently most syrian refugees stay in Turkey under the terms of a deal with the EU. If the economy takes a nosedive though, that may not remain the case.
Erdogan has tried to court Putin, yet the latter will demand concessions on Syria not least, where they are on opposing sides. And then there are of course questions about his financial solvency. Which is why Erdogan has shifted his focus to Germany and has an upcoming visit to Berlin scheduled. Merkel cannot be considered his friend, but she has a domestic turkish community to consider that are often also voters, and her country has economic and regional stability interests that make it likely she will try to help him out of his hole. The magic question is how far she will go for that though. Especially as Trump and Erdogan keep escalating the rethoric on Twitter and the latter keeps spreading conspiracy theories about "campaigns" and "economic terrorism" against his country :

https://www.theatlantic.com/internat...y-lira/567380/
]]>International PoliticsVolandhttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/international-politics/557570-the-us-turkey-spatGerman drugmaker sues US state over drug use in executionshttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/health-care/557452-german-drugmaker-sues-us-state-over-drug-use-in-executions
Fri, 10 Aug 2018 23:56:15 GMTThe german drugmaker Fresenius has sued the US state of Nebraska over a planned execution. Not because the company ( Germany has no death penalty) takes any official position on capital punishment in the US, but because it wants to stop local...

https://www.dw.com/en/fresenius-case...ons/a-45036850]]>Health CareVolandhttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/health-care/557452-german-drugmaker-sues-us-state-over-drug-use-in-executionsDemocrats: The Real Racists and Sexistshttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/capitol-hill/557326-democrats-the-real-racists-and-sexists
Tue, 07 Aug 2018 13:08:29 GMTFirst, they tested out the Race Card when they excoriated anyone who dared dislike or disagree with Obama as "racist." According to this article in the Hill, it now appears they are moving on to testing Sexism by claiming they'll boot the men if the democraps take over congress in the Midterm elections:

“

The critical issue is the agenda changing,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee’s health and labor panel, said Friday by phone.

The 14-term lawmaker rattled off a list of gender-based issues Democrats are vowing to tackle if they take control of the House, including women’s health care, domestic violence, equal pay and family leave. DeLauro said those were once considered “fringe issues” that went too long ignored or underfunded by Republicans who have controlled the chamber since 2011. She’s been passing out a pamphlet to fellow Democrats arguing that women are uniquely positioned to turn the ship around.

“When women take the gavel, Congress responds to the major issues facing working families today,” it reads.

Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) argued another benefit of having women in charge: They are simply more open to compromise, a breath of fresh air in a Congress practically defined by partisan conflict.

“I believe women tend to find common ground, work together and accomplish big tasks,” said DeGette, who’s in line to lead the oversight subpanel of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“As more of us get elected to Congress and fill these critical leadership roles, chances are good that we will see less gridlock and more cooperation.”

They may have a chance to prove that theory next year.

Democratic women are set to take control of six full House committees if the lower chamber flips in November. They include Reps. Maxine Waters (N.Y.), of Financial Services; Nydia Velazquez(N.Y.), of Small Business; Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas), of Science, Space and Technology; Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), of House Administration; and Carolyn Maloney (N.Y.), of the Joint Economic Committee.

Rep. Nita Lowey(N.Y.) would become the first woman in history to chair the powerful Appropriations Committee.

In addition, 34 subcommittee gavels appear poised to go to Democratic women if the party takes the House. Those include spots atop five Appropriations panels, as well as influence over other major issues: digital commerce (Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky); counterterrorism (New York Rep. Kathleen Rice); higher education (California Rep. Susan Davis ); and immigration (Lofgren).

35 women are poised to lead committees and subcommittees in the next Congress ... put[ting] female lawmakers in the driver's seat[.] ... [It would take] take the "Year of the Woman" to new heights of power.

Party leaders are practically giddy at the thought of positioning more women in power[.] "It is absolutely vital that women leaders take their rightful seat at the table: at the head of the table," Pelosi told The Hill in an email.

Driver's seat, heights of power, giddy for power, head of the table – this sounds like a bad reboot of "Abbott and Costello Go to Mars" where fascist women are in charge!

and conclude with:

Some liberal Republicans like Cathy McMorris Rodgers have also been bitten by the sex supremacy bug.

"Being a mom makes politics real," she told Fox News. "That's why it's so critical that more women and moms are elected to Congress."

And being a dad doesn't make politics real? Or how about just being a man? This is from a Republican! Is there a Mr. McMorris, or a Mr. Rodgers, or a Mr. McMorris Rodgers, and if so, how does he feels being treated like a second-class citizen by his wife in the national media?

When female politicos talk about what's in their pants as the best reason to elect them, it tells me their agenda is morally bankrupt and politically untenable. If men talked like this, they would be booted out of office. It's time we started treating female candidates equally.

Absolutely disregard the absurdity of these unilateral "issues" ... pay no attention to the vicious, sexist attacks inherent in their position(s) ... Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters are their spokeswomen... nothing more need be said.]]>Capitol HillDavidSFhttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/capitol-hill/557326-democrats-the-real-racists-and-sexistshttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/judiciary/557038-ginsburg-claims-at-least-five-more-years
Mon, 30 Jul 2018 19:04:56 GMTAffirming that her recently or soon-to-be retired Justice John Paul Stevens retired at a youthful 90 years old, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg states she, at only 85, has at least another 5 years on the High Court.
According to CNN.com...According to CNN.com:

New York, CNN-Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she hopes to stay on the Supreme Court until the age of 90.

"I'm now 85," Ginsburg said on Sunday. "My senior colleague, Justice John Paul Stevens, he stepped down when he was 90, so think I have about at least five more years."
She has already hired law clerks for at least two more terms.

I assume she means unless she runs afoul of the Clintons and, then, vacations in Arizona.

]]>JudiciaryDavidSFhttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/judiciary/557038-ginsburg-claims-at-least-five-more-yearsWhining, moaning, lies, and irreverent accusations against President Trumphttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/the-white-house/556740-whining-moaning-lies-and-irreverent-accusations-against-president-trump
Wed, 18 Jul 2018 20:37:34 GMTstarting this out of concern for our resident malcontent. Instead of having to start a new thread every time he has some new tid-bit of hate to express about the President, he can just post them all here...starting this out of concern for our resident malcontent. Instead of having to start a new thread every time he has some new tid-bit of hate to express about the President, he can just post them all here...The White HouseDavidSFhttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/the-white-house/556740-whining-moaning-lies-and-irreverent-accusations-against-president-trumpThe Helsinki summithttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/international-politics/556502-the-helsinki-summit
Fri, 13 Jul 2018 09:19:24 GMTThe republic of Finland is not unlike Switzerland, a country that has turned its geostrategical position into an asset that has often contributed to defusing international conflicts through mediation. That is why Finland, although an EU and Eurozone...
Yet the political clouds on the horizon are also concerning the generally optimistic Finns. Since their ability to balance between the blocs and interests on their doorstep also depends on both sides respecting once agreed rules and both sides predictability. Which is in question with Putin (Crimea) as well as with Trump.
So while such a summit is nothing new and would normally not have awoken the capital out of its summer sleep, this time is different.
Finns are following closely and with a degree of concern what the two most divisive leaders ( for Finns, according to surveys) might come up with :

https://www.politico.eu/article/trum...-deal-with-us/]]>International PoliticsVolandhttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/international-politics/556501-trump-in-londonThe Land of Fruits, Nuts, and Flakes is Back in the Newshttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/state-local-politics/556466-the-land-of-fruits-nuts-and-flakes-is-back-in-the-news
Thu, 12 Jul 2018 13:05:54 GMT
From an article on Fox News:

A California city is set to become the first in the nation to embark on an experiment of Universal Basic Income, paying 100 residents $500 a month without any conditions.
The program’s purpose is to eventually ensure that no one in Stockton, with a population of 300,000, lives in poverty. The receivers of the cash will be able to spend the money on anything they want without any strings attached.

It will launch by 2019 and the 100 fortunate residents will receive the cash for a full 18 months as part of its testing phase before deciding whether to roll it out across Stockton.

The city, which was once known as America's foreclosure capital, has recently fallen on hard times, with 1-in-4 residents living below the poverty line and the median household income at nearly $8,000 lower than the national median.

The city also racked up millions in debt from expensive development projects that led to the city’s bankruptcy in 2012.

“We’ve overspent on things like arenas and marinas and things of that sort to try to lure in tourism and dollars that way,” said Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs.
Luckily, the experimental program won’t deplete the city’s coffers as it benefits from financial backing by wealthy Silicon Valley moguls. One of those backers is Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, whose the Economic Security Project contributed $1 million to the project.

Mayor Tubbs’ ultimate goal is to get Americans paying state and federal taxes to fund the handouts, once his pilot program provides “proof of concept,”

]]>DavidSFhttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/state-local-politics/556466-the-land-of-fruits-nuts-and-flakes-is-back-in-the-newshttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/the-white-house/556374-obama-s-greatest-accomplishments
Tue, 10 Jul 2018 19:47:08 GMT
This is a list, to the best of my memory (including coaxing), of Obama's accomplishments. In this environment of Trump hysteria and derangement, I would like to know which of the following you consider Obama's greatest achievements:

Allowed men in women's bathrooms;

Gave our enemy, Iran, billions of dollars;

Failed to secure the Mexican border;

Passed on the Keystone Pipeline;

The Bowe Bergdahl prisoner "swap."

$20+ Trillion in debt;

Vast expansion of government, including gov't programs;

Encouraged racial divisions to an all-time high (at least since the 60's)

Disrespect for LEO

Failed Economic "Stimulus" plan;

Dramatically increased cost of health care;

Disregarded the U.S. Constitution;

Failed to stop housing foreclosures;

Failed to curb college expense increases;

Greatly increased number of families on Food Stamps;

Denied, and diminished, American exceptionalism;

No ... or weak vetting of immigrants and refugees;

Lied to the American Public about ACA and its costs...

Any others I missed?

Which is your favorite?]]>The White HouseDavidSFhttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/the-white-house/556374-obama-s-greatest-accomplishmentsNew Tell-all Book by a U.S. Congressman: Will Ruffle Some Feathers!https://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/capitol-hill/556302-new-tell-all-book-by-a-u-s-congressman-will-ruffle-some-feathers
Mon, 09 Jul 2018 13:30:48 GMTA sitting U.S. Congressman, writing an anonymous tell-all book, disparages his (or her) colleagues. I came across this article on AOL.com...anonymous tell-all book, disparages his (or her) colleagues. I came across this article on AOL.com, so take it with a grain of salt:

A new tell-all book out today allegedly written by an anonymous U.S. congressman is sure to ruffle some feathers heading into the November election.

The book, titled "The Confessions of Congressman X," is a "devastating inside look at the dark side of Congress as revealed by one of its own," according to the publisher.

The anonymous author, said to be a Democrat, skewers their co-workers in a few excerpts that have been released by saying, "Most of my colleagues are dishonest career politicians who revel in the power and special-interest money that's lavished upon them."

"It's far easier than you think to manipulate a nation of naive, self-absorbed sheep who crave instant gratification."...

"My main job is to keep my job, to get reelected. It takes precedence over everything."

"Fundraising is so time consuming I seldom read any bills I vote on. Like many of my colleagues, I don't know how the legislation will be implemented, or what it'll cost."

"We spend money we don't have and blithely mortgage the future with a wink and a nod. Screw the next generation. It's about getting credit now, lookin' good for the upcoming election.

In relevant part (but you really should listen to the whole "question"):

We’re two years into this investigation, we’re a year and a half into the presidency. We’re over a year into special counsel. You have a counter-intelligence investigation that’s become public. You have a criminal investigation that’s become political. You have more bias than I have ever seen manifest in a law enforcement officer in the 20 years I used to do it for a living. And four other DOJ employees who had manifest animus towards the person they were supposed to be neutrally and detachably investigating.

Democrats are using this investigation as a presumption of guilt, which I find astonishing and in the long-run, for the health of this republic, I would encourage them to go back to the presumption of innocence that we use to hold sacred. There’s a presumption of guilt, there’s a desire by Democrat senators to fundraise off your investigation. More than 60 Democrats have already voted to proceed with impeachment before Bob Mueller has found a single, solitary, damn thing. More than 60 have voted to move forward with impeachment, and he hasn’t presented his first finding!

Gowdy is spot on.]]>Capitol HillDavidSFhttps://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/capitol-hill/555785-trey-gowdy-on-the-mueller-investigationIs this who we are ?https://www.uspoliticsonline.com/forum/political-arenas/political-movements/555741-is-this-who-we-are
Thu, 28 Jun 2018 20:29:38 GMT
Many people think the left have become promoters of violent behaviour. They will blame this on president trump.

Is this how people are taught to handle losing now ? It's certainly how the left is handling it. Listen to the statements made recently by maxine waters ! Listen to many statements coming from the left today !

As president obama might say; "This isn't who we are."

Is it ?

----------------------------------------------------

Poll: 59% believe the left will resort to violence

A poll by Rasmussen shows that 59% of Americans believe that the left will resort to violence in order to stop Trump. The poll was taken following several high-profile confrontations by the left with high-level White House employees.

And 31% believe that the U.S. is headed for a second civil war.

Of those people surveyed, 59 percent say that they're worried Trump critics will become violent; a third of everyone polled said that they're "very concerned" that things will come to that point.

These percentages of people who think violence will be the direct result of policy disagreement are higher than they were under the Obama administration. During President Obama's second year, 53 percent of people believed his opponents would turn toward violence while 28 percent stated that they were "very concerned" about the potential for violence.

The partisan breakdown of those numbers is striking:

Thirty-one percent (31%) of Likely U.S. Voters say it's likely that the United States will experience a second civil war sometime in the next five years, with 11% who say it's Very Likely. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 59% consider a second civil war unlikely, but that includes only 29% who say it's Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Democrats (37%) are more fearful than Republicans (32%) and voters not affiliated with either major party (26%) that a second civil war is at hand.

But 59% of all voters are concerned that those opposed to President Trump's policies will resort to violence, with 33% who are Very Concerned. This compares to 53% and 28% respectively in the spring of Obama's second year in office. Thirty-seven percent (37%) don't share that concern, including 16% who are Not At All Concerned.

Most voters across the partisan spectrum are concerned about political violence from those opposed to Trump's policies, although Republicans are the most likely to be Very Concerned. The level of concern is about the same among Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters when it comes to the threat of violence from those critical of the media's coverage of Trump.

The possibility of political violence against Trump officials and supporters is far larger than the prospect of a civil war. The ideological divide between right and left is sharp, and there is no room for moderation. There is also a significant cultural divide, although it falls short of the kind of schism that was represented by divided views on slavery.

But the political divide in 1860 was matched by a geographical divide not really present today. We speak loosely of "red" and "blue" states, but in truth, no matter the state, there is a sizable minority from the other side living in the reddest and bluest states. Chances of secession are close to zero.

While the prospect of a civil war is extremely remote, not so the probability of political violence roiling our streets. One could easily imagine a Democratic takeover of the House and attempts to impeach the president sending hundreds of thousands into the streets, where it wouldn't take much to ignite a bloody conflagration.

The kind of confrontation between Trump-haters and administration officials we've seen recently is mostly unplanned and spontaneous. But we should be aware that there are those on the left who have been salivating at the opportunity to throw the U.S. into chaos. They may be planning on taking advantage of left-wing protests to goad the right into a violent reaction that would start a cycle of violence that authorities would be hard pressed to stop.

We saw some of this during the 2016 campaign as Antifa and its allies sought to goad Trump-supporters into fighting back. Imagine that today, with feelings running as high as they are on both sides. It wouldn't take much for both sides to end up at each other's throats.

With prominent Democrats actually encouraging these confrontations, the chances of violence increases exponentially. With the hysterical left having convinced itself that Trump is a personal threat, it may be inevitable that a Trump official or supporter is targeted and attacked. Further, with the unhinged quality of opposition to the president, how many on the left will actually cheer if a Trump official is murdered in the street or outside his home?